All new parents should have the best baby bottle sterilizer in their wish list. It is an essential item that they shouldn't forget when preparing for their baby's arrival.
But which baby bottle sterilizer is the best out there and what makes it better than the rest?
We have compiled a list of the most recommended baby bottle sterilizers available in the market today.
Many first-time parents would wonder whether sterilizing baby bottles is necessary. Well, the truth is that this task is something you can skip. Especially if you live in a developed country that uses treated water and where households use dishwashers.
However, it is always best to take the extra effort when it comes to our baby's feeding bottles and everything else that goes into their mouths. It is a precaution that we should not take for granted.
Sterilizing baby bottles helps us make sure that these feeding items are free of any harmful germs and bacteria. The knowledge that our babies are using clean and safe bottles while they are still building up their young immune system and are still susceptible to diseases and infection will give us peace of mind.
And we all know how valuable peace of mind is when it comes to parenting. The best baby bottle sterilizer just makes it easier.
Make sure to thoroughly clean baby bottles, teats, lids, and other feeding equipment as soon as your baby is done feeding. Wash these items with hot soapy water.
You should also clean out traces of dried milk clinging to the corners and crevices of these bottles and lids using a brush.
Sterilizing your baby's bottles and other feeding accessories can be done by boiling, by using chemicals, or by steaming.
Boiling involves placing the bottles in a large saucepan or sterilizer pot, adding water, and bringing the water to a boil for five minutes.
You can also use chemicals or disinfectant solutions to sterilize the bottles. These chemicals come in tablet or liquid form, which you will have to dilute with water.
Meanwhile, steaming involves microwaves or electric sterilizers. This works just like boiling, wherein you kill germs and bacteria by raising the temperature high enough.
You can choose from three main types of baby bottle sterilizers: cold water sterilizer, microwave sterilizer, and electric sterilizer.
For this type of sterilizer, you'll need a sterilizing liquid or tablet, as well as a sturdy plastic container with lid. Soak the feeding accessories in the solution for at least 15 minutes and keep them submerged until you need to use them.
The sterilizing solution is good only for 24 hours. You can, however, reuse it within this period.
Microwave sterilizers will kill bacteria using heat from steam. With this type of sterilizer, all you need is two to eight minutes to sterilize your baby's bottles and non-metal feeding accessories, depending on your microwave's unit and wattage.
This type of sterilizer can keep your bottles germ-free for up to 24 hours with the lid closed.
This type of sterilizer is the most convenient, especially if you don't have a microwave or if you have a lot of feeding equipment to sterilize.
Simply plug an electric steam sterilizer into an outlet and the heat from its steam will kill germs and bacteria. Sterilizing will take five to 15 minutes, depending on your sterilizer's model.
You can keep your baby's bottles and feeding accessories in this sterilizer for up to 24 hours. Just make sure the lid is closed.
You need to consider certain factors when choosing the best baby bottle sterilizer. These factors include usability, size and capacity, price, and drying ability.
New parents are often sleep-deprived and overwhelmed. The last thing you need is to spend a lot of time understanding how to use your sterilizer. So you would need one that is easy to operate and user-friendly.
The best baby bottle sterilizer should also be able to accommodate the number of bottles your baby will be using. A sterilizer with just enough space for two baby bottles will suffice if you are breastfeeding and only use a bottle when you are away.
Of course, a sterilizer with a much bigger capacity is ideal if your baby is on formula milk. This is because you will be using more bottles and a larger sterilizer will allow you to sterilize them simultaneously.
When it comes to price and budget considerations, know that there are good sterilizers out there that won't cost you an arm and a leg. Generally, microwave sterilizers are more affordable than other types of sterilizers in the market.
There are sterilizers that have built-in dryers. If you are not up to the task of dealing with wet bottles that you have to drain and wipe to dry, then you can opt for these two-in-one devices.
To come up with a list of the best baby bottle sterilizers, we checked various parenting blogs and websites for their recommendations. We then looked into the listings of the most recommended baby bottle sterilizers and narrowed the number down according to which ones are available.
We also considered customer feedback and retained only the products that are generally well-received by users.
Here are our recommendations for the best baby bottle sterilizer you can buy.
This electric steam sterilizer with hot air dryer has a storage function, making it a three-in-one product. It fits eight standard-sized baby bottles.
This product is easy to use and can sterilize your bottles in eight to 15 minutes with only a push of a button. A smart sensor will automatically shut it off once it is done sterilizing your bottles.
You can have your bottles dried, too. The whole process of sterilizing and drying will take only an hour.
This product is made of FDA food-grade material, ensuring a non-toxic environment for your baby.
Aside from baby bottles, you can also sterilize breast pumps, pacifiers, sippy cups, teething toys, medicine feedings tools, and other feeding accessors.
This electric steam sterilizer boasts a higher temperature and a more penetrating steam than your dishwater. It has a three-in-one function with its steam sterilizer, dryer, and deodorizer.
You can sterilize, dry, and deodorize your baby bottles with just one twist of a dial.
What's more, this sterilizer has a large capacity, allowing for three different stacking options. You can sterilize up to 11 baby bottles and accessories, including pacifiers, teethers, and plastic toys.
This product is very user-friendly. It has an ergonomic shape that makes it easy to carry and take apart for cleaning.
Another product from Wabi Baby, this sterilizer can automatically sterilize and dry your bottles within 30 minutes. All you have to do is tap a single button.
This BPI-free sterilizer and dryer produce gentle heat and effective ultraviolet rays to safely sanitize and dry baby bottles. In fact, it can also sterilize non-baby-related items like jewelry, sunglasses, and even mobile phones and other electronic devices.
Its dual UV bulbs can efficiently get rid of 99.9 percent of Salmonella, Staph, E. Coli, and other nasty bacteria.
You can use this sterilizer to store your baby's feeding equipment, too. Just make sure to activate the UV sterilization for one minute every couple of hours.
This BPA-free product can automatically sterilize and dry baby bottles, breast pump parts, and other feeding accessories in just one easy step. Its natural steam kills 99.9 percent of germs and bacteria.
Aside from its sterilize and dry functions, you can also use it as a storage system.
You can keep your bottles inside for up to 24 hours as long as you keep the lid closed.This sterilizer has a large capacity and can hold up to six bottles plus pump parts and accessories. It has a user-friendly LCD control panel, too.
What’s more, it has a stainless steel heating plate that does a good job of keeping rust and hard water build-up at bay.
Dr. Brown's Microwave Steam Sterilizer creates steam heat that effectively kills all germs and bacteria on your baby's bottles.
This product comes with a sterilizing tray that is custom-molded to hold four Dr. Brown's baby bottles. This tray can be removed easily for cleaning.
You can also use this sterilizer for training cups and pacifiers.
It is dishwasher-safe.
This microwave steam sterilizer promises to eliminate 99.9 percent of germs and bacteria in just two minutes. It can be used easily with most microwave ovens.
The BPA-free product is compact and lightweight. It can hold a variety of bottles, feeding accessories, pacifiers, and breast pump parts.
You can store your bottles and other accessories inside the sterilizer for up to 24 hours. Just make sure the lid stays closed.
This sterilizer can accommodate all Philips AVENT bottles.
This handy microwave sterilizer from Munchkin promises to get rid of up to 99.9 percent of common bacteria in just two minutes. It is a lightweight and compact-sized unit with heat-resistant handles.
You are also safe from steam burns, thanks to its open-away latch. This product can accommodate up to four bottles and two breast pump shields.
There are locking tabs designed to keep the lid from accidentally opening. It works in all standard microwaves.
The TBI Pro bottle warmer boasts five-in-one functionality that makes it a piece of do-it-all equipment for growing families. This product can sterilize baby bottles and accessories, defrost and warm breast milk, heat formula milk, and heat baby food.
It is lightweight and portable, and it is made of certified BPA-free materials. Moreover, it has an auto-off safety feature so you don't have to keep a close eye on it at all times.
This BPA-free bottle warmer can hold two full-sized baby bottles.
This Tommee Tippee electric sterilizer uses 100 percent natural steam to eliminate 99 percent of germs that linger on the surface of your baby's feeding equipment after washing. You can start sterilizing by pushing a single button.
It can sanitize up to six baby bottles in five minutes. You can fit in most types of bottles, breast pump accessories, and pacifiers.
You can keep your bottles inside for up to 24 hours and it will stay sterile as long as the lid is closed.
The product also features easy-lift handles to keep your hands away from the burning steam. You can also use its two-tier stackable tray as drying rack.
Additionally, this BPA-free sterilizer has an auto shut-off feature for safety. It comes with nipple tongs and a newborn pacifier.
A pack of this Medela product includes 12 reusable sterilizing bags for baby bottles, breast pump parts, and other feeding accessories. You would love the convenience of just placing your bottles inside the bag, adding in water, and tossing it into your microwave.
Using this sterilizing bag promises to disinfect your bottles in just three minutes. It eliminates 99.9 percent of the most common germs and bacteria.
Each bag can be reused up to 20 times. It is durable and very convenient to use. Not to mention handy.
What's more, this product is BPA- and phthalates-free. It is made with food contact-grade materials.
Have you decided which one of these choices is the best baby bottle sterilizer for you?
If not, simply go for the one that can hold the number of bottles and accessories you anticipate using. You also need to decide whether an electric or a microwave one is more convenient for you. Of course, your budget matters, too.
Tell us about your pick for the best baby bottle sterilizer in the comments section.
Featured image source: amazon
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